Alpha Billionaire Series
The Wrong Choice Chapter 22

MADII

It had been two weeks since Gavin proposed, and I still hadn't told my mother we were even dating. G Drew, she had given me the third degree, asking a dozen questions about him and demanding to know I sighed as I held the phone in my hand, dreading the call I promised Gavin I'd make. I didn't dare tell one in my life even knew. It was saddening, but I didn't want to hear the lectures I knew would come. likely lecture me about the age difference-something I'd finally come to terms with. So, telling the pe Like the time in high school when I dropped my physics class but didn't tell anyone until the first term showed them the report-all outstanding marks-they only pointed out the failure, not the way I excel physics for photography anyway?

I lounged back on my bed, staring at the ceiling. Dread washed over me in waves. Like a yo-yo I would Dad, but that wouldn't work because they'd be upset with me for not telling them myself. Mom was al Finally, I decided the call wouldn't make itself, so I dialed the number and put it on speaker phone, la mom picked up.

"Hello." She sounded a bit winded, as if she'd been in another part of the house or outside working ar "Mom?"

"Oh, Madii! It's so great that you called. How are you doing?" I heard the cushion on the couch squeak "I'm okay. How is everything there? Any word from Violet?" Small talk wasn't the reason I'd called but "Oh, she's fine. Finals are over. She's taking a semester off, so she'll be home this weekend. You should Shopping, where Mom nitpicked every purchase I made and told me what to buy? No thank you. I bit "Yeah, maybe. I'll talk to Vi about it and make a plan." It might not be so bad to visit and shop with Vic "Anything new?"

ld me she would respond better than I thought, but I just couldn't shake the feeling that she would be upset with me. When I had told her that I was dating our future plans were. She worried about me; I knew that, but sometimes her worry looked more like controlling me than caring for me.

Crystal about the engagement until I'd told my mother. I knew they would post it all over social media and Mom's friends would surely go asking her. So, no would tell me I was moving too fast. Lexi would probably cheer me on, but she was more like me when it came to adventure. And my dad... well, he would my life would be more of a lesson in humility for me than an exciting event to share. It wasn't exactly something I looked forward to.

p and I had to show a report card. I knew the decision I had made was the best for me at the time, but I also knew what Mom and Dad expected. When I everything. I ranked fourth in my graduating class, but I knew that ranking would have been much worse if I'd have taken physics. Besides, who needed

re for the call, dial the number, then hang up before it connected. I even thought maybe it would be easier to tell Violet first, then have her tell Mom and pset with me for leaving the house so abruptly the last time I visited.

on the bed next to me. It rang a few times, and secretly I hoped that no one would answer so I didn't have to face the music, but after the fourth ring, my ed to the phone.

new she had sat down.

I just jump in and tell her?

and visit. We could go shopping like we did when you guys were just kids."

gue and scrunched my nose. I wanted to get the conversation over with as quickly as possible, but I knew she would drag it out if I let her. ybe we could talk wedding plans too.

The way Mom's question hung in the air made me acutely aware that I was about to be bombarded by her questions and nagging. A lump formed in my throat preemptively, trying to choke back the news. As if that would help. It wasn't like I could get married and just bring Gavin home for Christmas one day without telling them. I could, but it wouldn't be the best thing.

"Yeah, actually there is." Here it came. I bit my lip and pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Really? Well, tell me all about it."

I sat up, readying myself. "I'm engaged." Like pulling a bandage off, I gave her the news. My pulse thudded in my ears as I waited for her response. Part of me expected her to get snarky because I'd made that comment multiple times in response to her pushing me to date someone new. I'd told her I was still engaged to Drew and that was the reason I wasn't dating.

Instead of a snide remark I heard the squeals of delight. "Oh, dear. I'm so happy for you."

Shocked, I picked up my phone and turned off speaker mode, holding it to my ear. A million questions flooded my mind. Why was my mother so happy? "Happy?"

"Yes, oh that doctor is just perfect, don't you think? Madii, you will be so happy." I heard a door shut and then I heard Mom say, "He asked her!" with another squeal. "You know?"

I was so confused. The tension and apprehension I'd felt was washed away by surprise. How did she know about this? Had Gavin told her?

"Yes, dear. Dr. Carpenter-Gavin-he came to visit a few weeks ago. He spoke with your father. It was so romantic. You know your father never did that before he proposed to me. God forbid he do anything even remotely romantic for me."

I could almost see Dad's eyes rolling at her remark. "Gavin came and asked Dad if he could marry me?" My heart began to melt as Mom told me how Gavin visited and had lemonade with them, sitting on the couch and asking Dad for my hand in marriage. I cringed at the thought of him visiting that little dump we called a home, given the fact that he was wealthy enough to demolish that house and make something much more presentable. But I felt honored that he would even think to speak to my family about us before he approached me. A true southern gentleman.

"Dad was a bit nervous about it. Are you sure he's not too old? That it's not too fast?" Mom's helicopter parenting style came out like I knew it would.

"Mom, I'm happier than I've been in years. Gavin and I are in love. Age is just a number." I smiled as I said the words, knowing they were true.

"Well, that's quite a change from the Madii of 5 years ago." The tone of her voice was pained, nostalgic even. It was as if she didn't want me to grow up anymore. Like I was her baby girl, trapped forever in time. I didn't know who had taken the trauma of losing Drew worse-me or Mom. It seemed all she wanted to do was protect me now. But I didn't need her protection anymore.

"A lot has changed, Mom."

It was true. So much had changed since Drew's accident, including me. I'd grown in ways I never knew I would. I left Hampshire and my home growing up and I'd been so intimidated by the world, scared to be on my own. Drew's accident forced me to grow up and face life alone. I could have gone home at any time, but I needed to be with him, to stay by his side. Now, after all this time-the growing and the changing, I was a new person.

"I'm so happy for you, Madii. Really. Now you come visit me and we'll make some wedding plans. I think a Spring wedding is perfect."

"Mom, we're getting married soon. Like maybe a few months. We don't want to wait. When you know you know." I held my breath as the line went silent. I knew she would think I was crazy. But I only heard a muffled sigh. Then she responded.

"Well, then I should go dress shopping! So, you plan a visit with Violet, and we'll make a day of it." I could just imagine how that day would go. Shopping for the dress for my first planned wedding had been a nightmare, but my mom was my mom, and I had to love her even if she was a bit overbearing at times.

I wanted to ask, "Who are you and what have you done with my mother?" but I decided to leave well-enough alone. "Great. I'll call Vi tomorrow. And Mom?"

"Yes, dear."

"I love you."

"I love you too." She hung up and I breathed the largest sigh of relief I'd ever taken. If Mom hadn't freaked out about it, then maybe I was entirely wrong about the situation. Next, I called Crystal. I had been right about her reaction. In fact, she was upset with me for moving so quickly and acted irritated, but I calmed her down by letting her know Gavin had gone to ask my parents for permission. That seemed to calm her down a little.

Then I called Lexi. And as I suspected, she flipped out. She had a million questions for me, which I answered patiently enough. And then she insisted we all take the trip to visit my mom and Violet. I asked her to be my maid of honor and she agreed. But it wasn't until I hung up with her that it hit home. I rolled off my bed, sliding my feet into the fluffy slippers I wore around the house. And I padded to my closet.

Opening the mirrored door, I pulled the plastic garment bag out and unzipped it, splaying it across my bed. The white satin gown was still in pristine condition, beads on the front that sparkled in the light. I stared at the wedding dress I was supposed to have worn for Drew, knowing I could never wear that down the aisle for Gavin. It was tainted by grief. I needed something new.

The dress had cost over a thousand dollars, so returning it would help with the cost of the new dress, but I would have to go home to do that. That would be a bittersweet trip, but with the support my mom and friends had shown me I knew I could do it. Then I padded to my dresser, pulling open the top drawer where I kept my socks and panties. I sorted through the garments until I found the black velvet box. Sadness overtook me as I pulled it out and opened it, sitting on the edge of my bed as I stared at the jeweled ring. A diamond set in the center of the fitting, with two opals on either side of it. The golden band was supposed to symbolize our eternal love, but now it just symbolized a part of my life I'd never get back. And I was so happy with Gavin I didn't know if I wanted it back.

Drew had been the centerpiece of my life for long enough. I had to follow Alice's advice fully. Which, to me, meant I had to return this ring and move on. The ring, the dress, even the leftover wedding decorations that still sat in the trunk in the back of my closet- they all needed returned. Life was taking me in a new direction, and I was ready for it, even if moving on was bittersweet.

I closed the ring box and put it back, then zipped up the garment bag and hung the dress back in the closet. There was no point moping over something that had ended when I needed to focus on what was starting. I was going to be Mrs. Gavin Carpenter.